Unsung Educator 2024-2025
The "Unsung Educator of the Week" is a weekly honor given to a CCSD educator. The winner is nominated by a peer because of their determination to go above and beyond for our students. The winner for the week is published each Friday in the CCSD All Staff newsletter.
CCSD employees may submit nominees via this link or by emailing a name, description, and photo to stephen_wyatt@charleston.k12.sc.us
"It is with great admiration that I recommend Ms. Whitley Richardson, the Parent Advocate at North Charleston High School. While her official title is Parent Advocate, Ms. Richardson’s contributions extend far beyond that role. Her hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our students and their families make a profound impact on our school community. Ms. Richardson consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that students and families receive the support they need, whether it be clothing, food, or assistance with essential expenses. Her compassion and willingness to help others make her an invaluable asset to NCHS. Even while on maternity leave, she remained just a phone call or email away, always ready to offer guidance and support.
Each day, Ms. Richardson arrives with a smile and a steadfast dedication to the well-being of our students. She is admired and adored by both students and staff, and she handles every challenge with grace and efficiency. Often, individuals in her position go unnoticed because they are not in front of a classroom or attending professional development sessions, but Ms. Richardson’s impact is undeniable. She is resilient, hardworking, and deeply committed to the success of our school community. It is only fitting that she be recognized for her tireless efforts. We are grateful for all that she does, and we are proud to have her as a part of the NCHS family. We love and appreciate Ms. Whitley Richardson!"
"I want to shout out to Vanessa Stavrinakis, our account manager with Budd Group. When I arrived on campus at 5:00 AM, she was there all alone still shoveling snow.
She is amazing.
The amount of work she personally puts in is such a blessing.
We are lucky to have Vanessa on our account." --nominated by someone at Mount Pleasant Academy
The Budd Group provides integrated environmentally sound facility solutions, including janitorial, disinfection, maintenance, landscaping, and customized specialty services for CCSD schools.
"Ms. Smith is the Librarian at Lambs Elementary School, and she constantly goes above and beyond to meet the needs of her students, help out her coworkers, and promote the love of reading amongst all grade levels! She consistently forges meaningful relationships with the students at Lambs, and encourages them to take on leadership roles both inside and outside the classroom.
When Ms. Smith is not teaching, she also takes on the roll of Camera Woman, Producer, and Editor of Lambs' LMB Morning News! She is always ready to lend a helping hand; creating posters for school events, setting up both staff and students with IT Support, gathering resources for other teachers' lessons, hosting the Book Fair, advocating for our students... and much more.
Ms. Smith (or Ms. Books, as our younger students lovingly refer to her) is essential in creating a loving and warm learning environment at Lambs. Without her, we would be an unfinished puzzle, missing the final piece. " -- nominated by a colleague
Ms. Ross exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding educator, showcasing unwavering dedication and a positive attitude.
She goes above and beyond in the classroom, designing creative and engaging lessons that both inspire and challenge her students to reach their full potential. She is hardworking, patient, kind, fun, and loving, making her a great leader and an invaluable mentor who is always willing to help in any way she is asked. Her love for her students is evident in everything she does, as they are truly the heart of her work.
Ms. Ross values building strong relationships with her students and their families, ensuring a supportive and nurturing environment. She is deeply committed to her role, always keeping her students' best interests at heart and advocating tirelessly on their behalf.
EB Ellington is incredibly fortunate to have such a compassionate and dedicated educator as Ms. Ross! -- nominated by a colleague
"Mr. McLean is the epitome of what an unsung hero is. He consistently is working to improve his practice. He is reflective in his work.
His students love his classroom as it is a space of love and respect for all. He welcomes visitors into his class with open arms.
He is always willing to try something new, while never short-changing what the students need to continue to be lifelong learners.
He puts his own flair and spin on already great teaching to make the learning relatable to his students.
He also is a great work colleague who goes above and beyond for anyone who needs assistance, or simply a listening ear.
I am humbled to work with and beside Mr. McLean." -- nominated by a colleague
"Kay Johnson has been a teacher for 44 years. Currently, she teaches PLTW Biomedical Innovations and Principles of PLTW Biomedical Science. She was the lead advisor for Wando's National Honor Society. She served as a school-based mentor for many years and worked with 1st-year teachers.
She is the Team Captain for her CAS House group. She has been teaching Early-Bird classes each year and does everything with a smile. Her students love her and want to be in her class. She is kind, easy to talk to, and always makes everyone she speaks with feel important. Her positive attitude resonates with the people she works with on a daily basis. She is highly dedicated to her school, her students, her family, and her community.
Outside of school, she is active with her church, First Baptist, here in Mt. Pleasant. She has been an active board member for her neighborhood HOA." -- nominated by a colleague
"Last week there was a life-threatening medical emergency at Angel Oak Elementary School. A student became unresponsive and required CPR. This is the type of event that we prepare for but hope that we never have to encounter it in our schools.
The team at AOES was well prepared.
In fact, MUSC Project Adam had just certified them as a HeartSafe School by completing AED drills with Tara Lawson. School nurses have designed Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) for their individual schools.
This proactive measure helps to identify the needs and response of the nurse, first responders and administration in emergency situations. This well-oiled machine was prepared and ready to jump into action.
AOES school nurse, Wendy White, led the team by starting CPR and having the AED ready if indicated.
These lifesaving actions have led to a positive outcome and the student is set to return to the classroom before fall break.
We are so thankful to Nurse Wendy and the AOES First Responder team! " -- nominated by Ellen Nitz, Director of Nursing
Jessica Pisani, Resource Teacher at Springfield Elementary School
"Jessica Pisani is an amazing resource teacher!
She works hard to meet the needs of all of her students. She collaborates with homeroom teachers frequently to make sure her students are successful. She rarely takes a planning period and is always checking on her students and supports them wherever necessary.
She has a great rapport with her students and families. In addition to her amazing work during the week, she is also on the Board of Directors for The Charleston Miracle League and supports the league every weekend!" -- nominated by a colleague
Heather Inman, 10th Grade English Teacher at R.B. Stall High School.
"Heather Inman is an educator who exemplifies the belief that "Students are the Heart of Our Work" and she demonstrates key characteristics and actions that show deep commitment to her students' well-being and success. She exhibits empathy by always considering students’ unique backgrounds and needs, especially when working with multilingual students. She goes the extra mile to ensure that language barriers are minimized, making learning more accessible and providing encouragement to boost students' confidence.
Her actions foster an inclusive environment both in the classroom and on the volleyball court, where every student feels valued and understood. She prioritizes mental health by checking in with students regularly, offering support, and encouraging healthy coping strategies during stressful periods, such as during tough practices or academic challenges. She has a caring nature, and coupled with a focus on students’ holistic development—academically, emotionally, and physically—helps build trust and rapport, making students feel at the center of her work.
By merging her passion for coaching and teaching with a genuine interest in each student's personal growth, she reinforces the idea that her student's success and well-being are the core of everything she does." -- nominated by a colleague
Michael McAdoo -Eighth Grade Teacher at Laing Middle School
"When Hurricane Helene destroyed large swaths of the Western North Carolina Region, Michael, an avid camper and 8th Grade History Teacher, knew he needed to help support relief efforts in the region he loved so well. He immediately organized a food and supply drive at Laing Middle School.
Over the course of a week, enough supplies came in to fill his large cargo trailer, which Michael drove to Statesville, NC to help with Operation Drop, a helicopter and airplane effort to get supplies into stranded regions.
Upon arrival, they were overwhelmed with gratitude and asked him to consider driving further up the mountain to drop the supplies directly into Ashe County, NC. He heeded the call and after 15 hours driving, successfully distributed all of the supplies the families of Laing and surrounding communities generously donated." -- nominated by a colleague
Viola Mitchell, Kindergarten Assistant
Sanders-Clyde Creative Arts School
"Ms. Mitchell has been a dedicated employee of CCSD for over 30 years (all 30 years at Sanders-Clyde).
She is the epitome of what I call a dedicated employee. She comes to work each and every day on time and from start to finish. She is always going above and beyond for her students.
Ms. Mitchell is more than a teacher assistant, she is what I call a superwoman. She knows her students' strengths and weaknesses. She always volunteers her time to Sanders-Clyde through tutoring and mentoring. She also works beyond school hours at the Kaleidoscope program.
I had the pleasure of working with Ms. Mitchell when I moved to Charleston 15 years ago at Sanders-Clyde. She is one of those teachers you don't have to tell them what to do, she just does it without complaining.
Students are always the heart of her work. This is evident because every year I was there, I watched how adults whose children now attend Sanders-Clyde come in and say "Ms. Mitchell you still here!" and "Ms. Mitchell, I want you to teach my child!"
She deserves this recognition and many more.
-- nominated by a former colleague
Megan Reilly, Physical Education teacher at Northwoods Middle School
"Coach Reilly does so much to keep our school amazing! She organizes and plans so many different activities for our students and staff that improve our school's morale and make Northwoods a fun and exciting place to be.
In addition to everything extra she does, Coach Reilly is a FORCE for physical education.
She runs a tight ship in her gym and spends plenty of free, unpaid time developing our students into athletes through team sports." --nominated by a colleague
Congratulations to this week's, "Unsung Educator of the Week", Darcy Stewart (and her team), CCSD Information Technology.
"Darcy Stewart has been a part of CCSD for 24 years. Darcy is so committed to her work. During the recent, network outage, she canceled two days of scheduled vacation to help with technology issues.
Darcy began her CCSD career on the Help Desk, then became a Field Support Technician and is now one of our Field Support Managers. She is a valuable member of the Technology Support Leadership team, helping to guide decisions that have an impact on students, teachers, and staff members. Darcy's dedication to customers and to her team members is outstanding. She is always early and stays late to get as much accomplished in a day as possible.
She has helped create Student-led Tech Support programs and has invested time and energy into supporting students and teachers in these programs.
In 2014, she was recognized by the SC Dept of Education for her work in creating a Student Led Help Desk at Wando High School with teacher Thomas Hundley. Together, they received the Technology Innovative Program Award for the state of SC." --nominated by a colleague
Congratulations to this week's, "Unsung Educator of the Week", James Lynch, Executive Director of Transportation.
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James!!!!
Buses, by day 2, were better than they were all last year!!!
Thanks, brother!!!!
Timothy P. Sullivan, Principal Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School
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I’ve posted before because of a complaint. I’m not one to stay silent when I feel like my concerns have been remedied. I had a long heart-to-heart with Mr Lynch about the buses and he promised me Monday that our route would be taken care of.
Yesterday I got a call and was told it would be taken care of today. Here we are and my son is more than on time after the bus being almost an hour late every day due to double routes.
Thank you! I’m optimistic about the rest of the year after my conversation.
Marti Haddad, CCSD Facebook Group
Stacy Attafi, District Instructional Specialist, World Languages.
"Stacy sees a need and meets it!
She knew going into her role as Instructional Specialist for World Languages that the majority of teachers in the County are the only language teachers at their school. She worked like crazy to assemble a team of content-area experts to collaborate and provide a uniform, horizontally- and vertically-aligned curriculum.
She also pioneered a peer-observation program for teachers to meet and collaborate with colleagues around the district. The work is paying dividends. CCSD's World Language teachers are aligned and working toward a common goal.
Thank you, Stacy!" -- nominated by a colleague
Patricia Grimes, Bus Driver.
"We have had the same bus driver for 2 school years now. She knows all of the kids and gets them to and from school safely.
She even went to my son's 5th-grade graduation last Spring and got each of the 5th-graders on the bus a sweet little graduation gift.
She truly goes above and beyond." -- nominated by a parent
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"She loves kids. She is very dependable and a team player." -- James Lynch, Executive Director of Transporation
Congratulations to this week's, "Unsung Educator of the Week", Leora "Niki" Smith, Parent Advocate/Title l Coordinator at North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary
"I am honored to nominate Ms. Leora "Niki" Smith, a dedicated Parent Advocate/Title l Coordinator at North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary School, for recognition as "Unsung Educator of the Week". Ms. Smith continuously goes above and beyond for the families in our school community. Since joining us during the pandemic, she has made a significant impact by providing invaluable support and resources to numerous families in need.
Ms. Smith has helped families navigate a wide range of necessities such as food insecurity, utility assistance, housing applications, and guidance through life's challenges. She has also taken the time to educate parents on effective parenting techniques to better manage their family dynamics and enhance coping skills. Additionally, Ms. Smith has established a food pantry at our school, which now includes a fresh market where families can access fresh eggs, milk, fruits, and vegetables without any judgment or shame. She has also set up clothing closets for children in need and consistently supports our faculty and staff in ways that are truly remarkable.
Ms. Smith's unwavering dedication and commitment to North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary School are truly commendable and deserving of celebration. She is an exceptional individual, and we are incredibly grateful for all that she does for our school community. We are so incredibly lucky to have her at our school!" -- nominated by a colleague
"Gillian is a teacher who goes above and beyond to create a nurturing and supportive environment for her students. She deeply cares about each individual's growth, not just academically but also personally.
Her positive energy and kindness make her classroom a safe space where students feel encouraged to express themselves, take risks, and truly believe in their potential. With her thoughtful approach, she fosters a sense of community and belonging, making her students feel seen, heard, and valued.
Her dedication to their success, both inside and outside of the classroom, leaves a lasting impact on everyone lucky enough to be in her classroom!" -- nominated by a colleague
"Jill Goodman is truly an unsung hero, dedicating countless hours to providing her theater students with the best opportunities while inspiring both students and staff to step out of their comfort zones. She organizes multiple showcases throughout the year, encouraging participation from all skill levels. Just this past weekend, she took her students to a statewide theater conference, where they performed a powerful one-act play that left the audience in tears.
Their performances earned multiple awards, including recognition for creative storytelling, and acting, and a prestigious scholarship awarded to the leading actress in her final senior-year performance.
Always looking ahead to the next big project, Jill goes above and beyond to connect with every student, whether they are taking the course for credit or pursuing a passion for theater. Her unwavering dedication, mentorship, and encouragement create an environment where students thrive, building confidence, creativity, and a love for the performing arts that will stay with them long after they leave her classroom." -- nominated by a colleague
"Ms. Regina Duggins has gone above and beyond for all students at Military Magnet Academy. Although she works in the Exceptional Children Department, she does not hesitate to lend her expertise to all students, including our graduates!
Ms. Duggins works with students in class, out of class, on and off campus. She helps them develop self-confidence and self-worth while providing opportunities for students to learn more about themselves. She co-hosts talent shows and cultural experiences for the entire school. She meets our students where they are and encourages them to dream about where they want to be.
She tirelessly works with our students, faculty, and families and she has truly made a difference for our MMA family." -- nominated by a colleague
Mona Horton - School Nurse at CCSD Early College High School
Mona Horton has been a nurse for many years and a school nurse for CCSD since 2005. She will tell you “ I just love my job”, and it shows each and every day she shows up for work. A student went to see her as part of their regular checks during PE class for blood pressure. Based on her assessment she felt like he needed further evaluation by his primary doctor. When she reached out to his parents she was made aware that he was already seen by his doctor and cleared. This is where she went the extra mile. She could have said OK, but she did not. She knew that based on her assessment he needed to return to his doctor and possibly a follow up with a specialist. The parents listened to her concerns and took the student back to his doctor. As it turned out the student was born with a heart condition that was missed until Nurse Horton brought the high blood pressure again to the mom’s attention and encouraged her to have him seen by a cardiologist.
This is what the mother had to say about her child’s encounter with Nurse Horton. “Nurse Mona called me very concerned about my son’s blood pressure. When I told her that he had been checked out and they said everything was okay, she continued to insist that he needed to see a doctor. She told me that in all of her years of nursing, she knew something wasn’t right. Nurse Mona’s passion for her job and her true compassion for my son showed through. I’m so thankful that Nurse Mona was persistent about us getting another opinion for my son. She truly saved his life.” -- nominated by a colleague
"I am honored to nominate Ms. Rosendary, one of our newest Instructional Coaches at North Charleston High School, for her unwavering dedication and impact on both students and staff. Each day, Ms. Rosendary arrives with her cart in hand, ready to work tirelessly in support of every teacher—not just those on her team, but every educator in the building. She is deeply committed to fostering growth, rigor, and excellence in our classrooms, ensuring that both teachers and students are continuously learning and thriving. Beyond her instructional role, Ms. Rosendary has played a key part in shaping our school culture. She has actively served on multiple committees, including Hispanic Heritage Month, Homecoming, Black History Month, and Women’s History Month, helping to create meaningful and engaging experiences for our students.
Her dedication extends beyond academics. Understanding the importance of staff morale, she introduced “Rosie Day” every Thursday—an initiative that ensures teachers feel appreciated year-round, not just during Teacher Appreciation Week. Her thoughtfulness and commitment to creating a positive work environment are truly inspiring. Ms. Rosendary is also a pivotal force in the English Department, motivating students to succeed and emphasizing the importance of reading comprehension. Despite wearing many hats and attending numerous meetings, she continues to show up with Cougar Pride, never letting anyone down. Her heart is made of gold, and her contributions often go unsung—but we see her, we appreciate her, and we love Ms. Rosie!" -- nominated by a colleague